In this guide, we’ll take you through the common reasons YouTube TV may not be working on Roku and how to resolve them quickly.
Why is YouTube TV not working on Roku?
Before jumping into the solutions, it's helpful to understand what might be going wrong. Here are the most common problems users report:
- App won’t open or keeps crashing
- Black screen after launching the app
- Video keeps buffering or won’t load
- Audio/video out of sync
- "No internet connection" message despite being connected
Users often report a range of issues when YouTube TV is not working on Roku. Some find that the app won’t open at all or keeps crashing unexpectedly. Others experience a black screen right after launching the app, preventing any content from loading.
In some cases, videos continuously buffer or fail to load entirely, disrupting the viewing experience. There are also instances where the audio and video are out of sync, making it difficult to follow what’s happening on screen. Additionally, some users encounter a “No internet connection” message even when their Roku device is properly connected to Wi-Fi.
Some of the Twitter user's reactions on YouTube TV not working on Roku issue
One user wrote,
"Hello @RokuSupport @Roku and @YouTubeTV ??? Was literally watching, went to Roku Home Screen the app was gone now getting this message???"
Another wrote,
"@YouTubeTV so did you guys stop supporting the Roku Stick? Cause until today it worked fine and all of a sudden it just randomly un-installed on my sons Roku and I can't reinstall it. It works on my other Roku devices. I did everything suggested in trouble shooting the issue and nothing still."
Below, we have provided some possible solutions that you can try to fix the issue.
How to Fix YouTube TV Not Working on Roku?
You can try any of the following methods to resolve the issue.
1. Restart Roku and Your TV
- Go to Settings > System > System Restart on your Roku.
- Alternatively, unplug your Roku device and TV from the power source for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
- Use Roku's built-in connection checker:
- Settings > Network > Check Connection
- Ensure you have at least 3 Mbps for SD and 13 Mbps or more for HD streaming.
3. Update the YouTube TV App
- Roku updates apps automatically, but you can force a manual update:
- Press the Home button → highlight YouTube TV → press the Star button → select Check for Updates.
4. Reinstall the YouTube TV App
- Go to Home > Highlight YouTube TV > Press * button > Remove channel
- Restart your Roku (Settings > System > System restart)
- Re-add YouTube TV from the Roku Channel Store
5. Check for Roku System Updates
- Navigate to Settings > System > System Update > Check Now
- Install any available updates to ensure compatibility with YouTube TV.
6. Clear Roku Cache (Soft Reset)
- Press the following buttons on your Roku remote in sequence:
- Home (5x), Up (1x), Rewind (2x), Fast Forward (2x)
- Your Roku will reboot automatically and clear cached data.
7. Sign Out and Back In
- Open the YouTube TV app > Go to Settings > Sign Out
- Restart the app and log back into your account.
8. Check for Server Outages
- Visit downdetector.com or YouTube TV’s social media channels to see if there’s a widespread outage.
Having YouTube TV not working on Roku can be frustrating, especially when you’re ready to catch your favorite live show or game. However, most problems can be resolved with a quick restart, reinstall, or update. Use the steps above to get back to smooth streaming in no time.
